2007 New York Yankees season
The Yankees instead won the American League wild card, beating out the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers.
The offseason started with news of the unexpected death of Cory Lidle, who was an occupant in his own plane that crashed into a Manhattan high rise shortly after the Yankees were eliminated in the 2006 ALDS.
[1] The Yankees made news by trading right fielder Gary Sheffield to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitching prospects.
[2] The Yankees also traded away pitcher Jaret Wright[3] to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for reliever Chris Britton.
Injuries sidelined starting pitchers Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano, and Chien-Ming Wang, leaving only original starters Andy Pettitte and Kei Igawa active.
Kei Igawa, acquired during the off-season for $46 million from Japan's Hanshin Tigers, allowed 26 earned runs in 6 appearances for an ERA of 7.63.
By early May, Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang joined Andy Pettitte with newcomers Darrell Rasner and Matt DeSalvo filling in the remaining two positions in the rotation.
Alex Rodriguez's remarkable April had come to an end, but the bats kept up their pace and, with the bullpen getting some needed rest, the Yankees began May 7–2.
However, at the end of the month, the Yankees were tied for last place with the Devil Rays and were 22–29, 13+1⁄2 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.
After winning the weekend series with the Angels, the Yankees went into the break with a 42–43 record and a 10-game deficit in the division behind the Boston Red Sox.
[10] The beginning of August saw the Yankees, along with all of Major League Baseball, eagerly awaiting home run number 500 from Alex Rodriguez.
August also saw rookie Phil Hughes rejoin the starting rotation, as well as the much anticipated debut of Joba Chamberlain, a future starter who gave the Yankees' bullpen some much needed help during the pennant race (an 0.38 ERA in 23.2 innings).
Coupled with losses by the Seattle Mariners, the Yankees' wins put them on top of the AL Wild Card race.
The Yankees' first game of September showcased rookie pitcher Ian Kennedy in his first career Major League start.
"George has taken on a role like the chairman of a major corporation", team president Randy Levine told the New York Post.
For complete stats click here (external link) Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; AVG = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Note: G = Game pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; SV = Saves; W = Wins; L = Losses; H = Holds; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts *Ended season not on active roster + Ended season playing for different team LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: GCL Yankees
